The puppeteer who performs as the Sesame Street character Elmo has been granted a leave of absence from his job amid allegations he had an improper relationship with a 16-year-old boy.

Kevin Clash denies the allegations first reported by TMZ but says that he had a consensual relationship with a man, who is now 23, that occurred when the accuser was of legal age.

"I am a gay man. I have never been ashamed of this or tried to hide it, but felt it was a personal and private matter," Clash, 52, tells PEOPLE in a statement via his personal rep.

"I had a relationship with the accuser," his statement continues. "It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to characterize it as something other than what it was. I am taking a break from Sesame Workshop to deal with this false and defamatory allegation."

I seriously hope this is just some asshole trying to cash in on Clash's fame, however, Part of me thinks this might actually be true...